Where do we turn in tough times

This week's activities have been a little less exciting than the previous weeks as the students are researching different crops grown in South Dakota.  The students are getting hit with projects and tests from many different classes as the end of the first quarter is coming up next Wednesday.
The West River families and communities have been in our thoughts and prayers this week as they continue to deal with losses and clean up from last week's storm.  I am proud of how the students have kept their focus here at school, however, we also realize how difficult it is for them to be here knowing the loss and extra work going on back home.
We read from Psalm 40 today in devotions which says:  "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.  Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods."

Range Competition and Looking Ahead

Three of our students took part in the Central Area Range Competition on October 1st in Wessington Springs. They (and their teacher) were a little nervous about the first competition! It was a beautiful day and the students performed very well, especially considering our inexperience. We placed 5th out of 10 schools and one of our students finished 21st in the individual scores. This is an area that I believe our school can really build upon and compete at an even higher level in the years to come.
 Five of our students won FFA jackets from a contest that we entered in last month. The students had to fill out an application and then answer questions about their future plans in agriculture, what an FFA jacket would mean to them, and what their goals for FFA are. Congratulations to our students for a job well done in this area!
 Earlier this week, we were privileged to have 2 state FFA officers join our class and answer many FFA questions. This is also my first year being involved with FFA so it was a blessing to have them for an hour class. The officers commented on how engaged the students were in wanting to learn more about FFA.
 We are finishing up our range unit and moving into crops. Each student has picked (figuratively) a crop to research and present to the class in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more details!

FFA Visit Assignment

What is one thing that you learned from the state FFA officers that visited us on Monday? What opportunities in FFA are you interested in and would like to learn more about?